Disease X Can Kill 50 Million People, Expert Says
- VIVA.co.id/Arianti Widya
Jakarta – The World Health Organization (WHO) has announced that Disease X is beginning to spread worldwide. Experts are warning that this virus could be 20 times more deadly than SARS-CoV-2, the cause of Covid-19.
Kate Bingham, Chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce, revealed that from May to December 2020, this new virus had a similar impact to the Spanish Flu that devastated the world in 1919-1920.
According to the WHO, Disease X could be a new agent, whether it be a virus, bacteria, or fungus, with no known treatment.
"Let me explain this way: the flu pandemic in 1918-19 killed at least 50 million people worldwide, twice the number of deaths in World War I," Bingham remarked on Wednesday.
"Currently, we can anticipate a similar death toll from one of the many existing viruses," he added.
Ilustrasi virus.
- Pixabay/geralt
Warnings about the Disease X pandemic emerge at a time when the world is on high alert for a new wave of Covid-19 infections, as the highly transmissible BA.2.86 variant continues to spread rapidly in the United States and the United Kingdom.
This variant is more dangerous than other original Covid-19 variants due to the high number of mutations in the spike protein, and health officials are concerned about the increasing threat it poses.
So, what is the new threat from Disease X, are we heading towards another pandemic?
Disease X, a new pandemic, is poised to challenge humanity. This upcoming pandemic could kill more than 50 million people if not detected and addressed early, warn leading virology experts.
Disease X is a hypothetical unknown pathogen that could cause epidemics in the future.
Experts have cautioned that this virus could be caused by various different pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi.
As of now, there is no vaccine or treatment for Disease X, making it even more perilous. If this virus indeed emerges, it could trigger a global pandemic with severe consequences for human health and the global economy.
Many pathogens, such as viruses, bacteria, and fungi, have been considered potential causes of Disease X, according to experts.
This virus could be a new pathogen or perhaps a previously known pathogen that has changed and become more dangerous.
For Disease X, WHO is preparing a strategy by awaiting responses from around the world.
This strategy involves early detection, virus containment, as well as the development of vaccines and therapies. WHO is also making efforts to raise public awareness about Disease X and persuade countries worldwide to fund research and development for infectious diseases.
